When confronted with genuine mortality, Ayla’s manufactured drama had seemed utterly trivial and unworthy of discussion.
Subsequently, the entire incident had faded from Hadley’s conscious thoughts, with Ayla’s very existence becoming little more than a distant memory.
However, with Ayla’s dramatic reappearance forcing this confrontation, continued concealment served no constructive purpose.
Meeting Eric’s gaze directly, Hadley delivered the truth with unwavering honesty. “That evening at the hotel… I was your companion, not Ayla.”
The revelation left Eric completely paralyzed with shock.
The alleged incident with Ayla had tormented his conscience like a festering wound.
Overwhelming guilt toward Hadley had consumed him relentlessly, refusing to release its grip on his tortured psyche.
Now Hadley was revealing that she had been his intimate companion that fateful evening!
“Can this possibly be accurate?” Eric’s voice cracked with euphoric disbelief. The implications were magnificent!
“It is,” Hadley confirmed with a troubled nod, her expression remaining grave despite his obvious joy. Follow current nov?ls on FindN()vel.net
“Hadley…” He breathed, reaching toward her with trembling fingers. “Mr. Scott!”
Eric’s hand had barely begun its journey toward Hadley when Ayla’s piercing exclamation destroyed the tender moment.
“Mr. Scott, she never told you any of this?” Ayla demanded with venomous incredulity.
Fury transformed Ayla’s eyes into bloodshot pools of rage as she whirled on Hadley with renewed venom. “I should have known! You discovered the truth through my letter, understood everything perfectly, yet you deliberately concealed it from Mr. Scott!”
Ayla’s anger boiled over. “You did this on purpose! You want nothing more than to wreck my life. I must have been out of my mind to ever trust someone as heartless as you!”
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“Letter?” Caught off guard, Hadley frowned. “What letter are you talking about?”
She already knew the truth, though it wasn’t because she had read any letter.
None of this made sense.
A harsh laugh escaped Ayla. “Still playing innocent? Well, today everyone will see you for who you really are. I’m not letting you hide anymore, not in front of Mr. Scott!”
Dragging her injured arm, she struggled toward Eric.
“Mr. Scott, you have to help me!” Tears streamed down her cheeks. “On your parents’ anniversary, I came to Chelsey, Hadley’s assistant, to give her a letter. I wrote out everything and begged her to forgive me! She learned the truth and hid it from you on purpose! She’d rather see me dead. How can you stand by a woman like that?”
She inched closer to Eric, clutching his pant leg with trembling fingers.
“Have you lost your mind?” Eric’s words were frosty, and he stepped back, staring at Ayla with disbelief. “You should really consider getting help.”
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